2023-25-14: Tail Rotor Drive Shaft

1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows: Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701. 2. The FAA amends § 39.13 by: a. Removing Airworthiness Directive 2022-27-09, Amendment 39-22294 (88 FR 2199, January 13, 2023); and b. Adding the following new airworthiness directive: 2023-25-14 Airbus Helicopters: Amendment 39-22641; Docket No. FAA-2023-2396; Project Identifier MCAI-2023-01147-R. (a) Effective Date This airworthiness directive (AD) is effective January 12, 2024. (b) Affected ADs This AD replaces AD 2022-27-09, Amendment 39-22294 (88 FR 2199, January 13, 2023) (AD 2022-27-09). (c) Applicability This AD applies to Airbus Helicopters Model EC130T2 helicopters, certificated in any category, as identified in European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Emergency AD 2023-0190-E, dated November 2, 2023 (EASA AD 2023-0190-E). (d) Subject Joint Aircraft Service Component (JASC) Code: 6510, Tail Rotor Drive Shaft. (e) Unsafe Condition This AD was prompted by a report of a crack in the tailboom. The FAA is issuing this AD to address an excessive vibration level on the tail rotor drive shaft. The unsafe condition, if not addressed, could result in failure of the tail rotor drive shaft and subsequent loss of yaw control of the helicopter. (f) Compliance Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified, unless already done. (g) Requirements Except as specified in paragraphs (h) and (i) of this AD: Comply with all required actions and compliance times specified in, and in accordance with, EASA AD 2023-0190-E. (h) Exceptions to EASA AD 2023-0190-E (1) Where EASA AD 2023-0190-E requires compliance in terms of flight hours, this AD requires using hours time-in-service. (2) Where EASA AD 2023-0190-E refers to the effective date of December 16, 2022 (the effective date of EASA AD 2022-0251-E, dated December 14, 2022), this AD requires using the effective date of January 30, 2023 (the effective date of AD 2022-27-09). (3) Where EASA AD 2023-0190-E refers to its effective date, this AD requires using the effective date of this AD. (4) Where EASA AD 2023-0190-E refers to tail rotor drive shaft checks, this AD requires tail rotor drive shaft inspections. (5) Where Note 1 of EASA AD 2023-0190-E states, "Unless indicated otherwise, the FH specified in Table 1 of this AD are those accumulated by the helicopter since first flight, or since the installation of the new spline sleeve equipped and sliding flange;" for this AD, replace that text with "Unless indicated otherwise, the hours time-in-service specified in Table 1 of this AD are those accumulated by the helicopter since first flight, or since the installation of the new spline sleeve equipped and sliding flange, as applicable to your helicopter." (6) This AD does not allow the provisions in Note 2 of EASA AD 2023-0190-E or Note 2 in the ASB referenced in EASA AD 2023-0190-E. Refer to paragraph (j) of this AD for special flight permit information. (7) Where paragraphs (2) and (3) of EASA AD 2023-0190-E require removing parts, this AD requires removing those parts from service. (8) Where paragraph (4) of EASA AD 2023-0190-E specifies to "contact AH [Airbus Helicopters] to obtain approved instructions, and within the compliance time(s) specified therein, accomplish those instructions accordingly;" for this AD, replace that text with "accomplish corrective action in accordance with a method approved by the Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA; or EASA; or Airbus Helicopters' EASA Design Organization Approval (DOA). If approved by the DOA, the approval must include the DOA-authorized signature." (9) This AD does not require compliance with paragraph (5) of EASA AD 2023-0190-E. Note 1 paragraph (h)(9): Accomplishing a balance correction other than with the replacement of tail rotor drive line parts could interfere with subsequent tail rotor drive line balancing inspections. Airbus Helicopters Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. EC130-05A042, Revision 1, dated November 2, 2023, contains additional information regarding balance corrections. (10) This AD does not require compliance with paragraph (6) of EASA AD 2023-0190-E. (11) Instead of the credit allowed in paragraph (7) of EASA AD 2023-0190-E, you may take credit for the vibration measurements required by paragraph (1) of EASA AD 2023-0190-E that have been accomplished before the effective date of this AD using Airbus Helicopters Emergency Alert Service Bulletin No. EC130-05A042, Revision 0, dated December 14, 2022. (12) Instead of the credit allowed in paragraph (8) of EASA AD 2023-0190-E, you may take credit for accomplishing "maintenance task B," as defined in EASA AD 2023-0190-E and required by paragraph (3) of EASA AD 2023-0190-E, to satisfy the initial instance of "maintenance task B," as defined in EASA AD 2023-0190-E and required by paragraph (2) of EASA AD 2023-0190-E. (13) This AD does not adopt the "Remarks" section of EASA AD 2023-0190-E. (i) No Reporting Requirement Although the service information referenced in EASA AD 2023-0190-E specifies to submit certain information to the manufacturer, this AD does not include that requirement. (j) Special Flight Permit Special flight permits may be issued in accordance with 14 CFR 21.197 and 21.199 only to operate the helicopter to a maintenance location for the initial tail rotor drive shaft inspection, provided no passengers are onboard. (k) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs) (1) The Manager, International Validation Branch, FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14 CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or local Flight Standards District Office, as appropriate. If sending information directly to the manager of the International Validation Branch, send it to the attention of the person identified in paragraph (l)(1) of this AD. Information may be emailed to: 9-AVS-AIR-730-AMOC@faa.gov. (2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager of the local flight standards district office/certificate holding district office. (l) Additional Information (1) For more information about this AD, contact Dan McCully, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 1600 Stewart Ave., Suite 410, Westbury, NY 11590; telephone (404) 474-5548; email william.mccully@faa.gov. (2) For Airbus Helicopters service information identified in this AD that is not incorporated by reference, contact Airbus Helicopters, 2701 North Forum Drive, Grand Prairie, TX 75052; phone (972) 641-0000 or (800) 232-0323; fax (972) 641-3775; or at airbus.com/en/products-services/helicopters/hcare-services/airbusworld. You may view this service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. (m) Material Incorporated by Reference (1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the incorporation by reference of the service information listed in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51. (2) You must use this service information as applicable to do the actions required by this AD, unless this AD specifies otherwise. (i) European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Emergency AD 2023-0190-E, dated November 2, 2023. (ii) [Reserved] (3) For EASA material, contact EASA, Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer 3, 50668 Cologne, Germany; telephone +49 221 8999 000; email ADs@easa.europa.eu; website easa.europa.eu. You may find the EASA material on the EASA website ad.easa.europa.eu. (4) You may view this service information at the FAA, Office of the Regional Counsel, Southwest Region, 10101 Hillwood Parkway, Room 6N-321, Fort Worth, TX 76177. For information on the availability of this material at the FAA, call (817) 222-5110. (5) You may view this material at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability of this material at NARA, visit www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations or email fr.inspection@nara.gov. Issued on December 22, 2023. Caitlin Locke, Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification Service. [FR Doc. 2023-28720 Filed 12-26-23; 11:15 am]BILLING CODE 4910-13-P